McPherson retakes homer lead from Cruz

Nelson Cruz seems to be going overboard to prove he is Major League-ready. Dallas McPherson just seems to be going overboard in general.

Cruz cranked his 37th home run, had his fifth straight multi-hit game and stole a pair of bases to lead the visiting Oklahoma RedHawks past the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, 4-2, on Sunday.

In doing so, Cruz moved two ahead of McPherson for the Minor League lead in homers, and he briefly enjoyed the feeling after the game.

"I wouldn't be surprised if [McPherson] hit two more later today," Cruz said.

Well, Cruz was wrong, but not far off, since McPherson sprayed three -- his 36th, 37th and his Minor League-leading 38th -- to all different fields in the Albuquerque Isotopes' 8-7 home loss to the Fresno Grizzlies.

It was just a coincidence, according to McPherson.

"I didn't even know he'd hit one earlier," McPherson said. "You know it's been fun, watching him. I don't know how many he's hit in the last few days. But I knew I was up by three or four, and then he took the lead. He's on fire, it's been fun watching everyday to see what he does."

Cruz cranked a one-out solo shot off Matt Daley in the seventh inning.

"I've been seeing the ball really well lately," Cruz said. "The last two or three years, my second half is always better than my first."

But his home run lead lasted until the eighth inning of McPherson's game. The third baseman homered in three consecutive at-bats -- all solo shots -- to left, then center, then right on a 4-for-5 night.

"I'm really not trying to hit ones when he hits them," McPherson said of his duel with Cruz. "We're hitting them and things are going our way. But honestly, he's beating me in every other category, so to beat him in home runs wouldn't even out. He's leading the league in almost everything and the year he's having, his talent is just unreal."

Dominating the Pacific Coast League with a .348 batting average, the 28-year-old Cruz could be trade bait for Texas as the trading deadline approaches Thursday. MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reported Friday that the New York Mets are among several teams who have inquired about obtaining Cruz.

"I haven't heard anything, but I expect something to happen," he said. "I hear a lot of rumors, but I don't know anything. Nobody has called me."

Cruz said he heard about the Mets, but is more concerned about reaching the Majors whatever way he can.

"I heard that rumor, they were interested," Cruz said of the Mets, who are first in the National League East and may be looking for outfield bats to replace Ryan Church. "The main goal is to play in the big leagues. If it doesn't happen in Texas -- I don't have control with getting called up, so I don't worry about it.

"I just come and play my game," he added. "Whatever they do, they do."

McPherson led the Minors in homers earlier in the week, but had not gone deep since hitting his 35th on Thursday against Sacramento.

Out of the Majors since 2006, McPherson has six homers and 12 RBIs in his last six games for Albuquerque. His 38 long balls lead all of professional baseball -- he has eight more than Major League leader Ryan Howard of Philadelphia. Cruz, meanwhile, is just happy to be hitting them.

"It might be very cliched, but after the injuries I've had and to miss last year, I'm just excited to be on the field," McPherson said. "Of course I want to be in the big leagues. I'll do what I can to prove I belong there, but I'm ecstatic and happy to be back playing every day and pain-free. That's what I'm the most happy about."

Cruz echoed his fellow slugger.

"It's amazing," he said. "God blessed me last season and this season. I just want to keep healthy and play the most games I can."

McPherson also said he hadn't heard any news about a potential callup or deal.

"I haven't heard anything, but you hear some whispers here and there," he said. "I try not to focus to it. We'll see what happens."

Cruz, a two-time Pacific Coast League All-Star and 2005 Futures Game selection, is out of options, meaning he would have to clear waivers if the Rangers wanted to reassign him to the Minors.

Ahead of Cruz on the Rangers depth chart is right fielder Marlon Byrd, who is batting .252 with five homers and 18 RBIs in 66 games this season. Texas designated Cruz for assignment March 30 when the team made its final moves to complete its 25-man roster after Spring Training.

"I was kind of feeling disappointed, I was expecting to make the team," he said. "But that's just part of the business. They make the decisions and I respect that. I'd like to play for the Rangers. But if other teams are looking at me, like I said, whatever happens, I'll be happy to be in the big leagues."

Cruz broke the Oklahoma franchise season record for homers with a solo shot July 25. He has 11 home runs, 19 RBIs and 18 hits and is batting .409 in his last 10 games for the RedHawks.

"I was really happy when they told me," he said of breaking the 34-homer mark. "It's amazing. I'm going to be a part of history."

The trends and stats just keep piling up. Cruz has homered in three consecutive games twice in his last 10 starts. He homered twice, including a walk-off shot, on July 23 after going yard the night before. He smacked five homers in three days from July 18-20, including three on July 19 against the Memphis Redbirds.

Cruz has four multi-homer games this season and has gone deep in consecutive games on 11 occasions. A Triple Crown threat, Cruz is unlikely to reach the all-time league record for home runs -- Salt Lake's Tony Lazzeri slugged 60 in 1925.

But the Rangers have been hesitant to bring up the outfielder this summer. Texas general manager Jon Daniels told the Dallas Morning News on Saturday that Cruz "will likely get [a chance] when we have an opening," although the Rangers are 10.5 games out of first in the American League West.

The Texas farmhand has certainly built his case for a Major League roster spot, somewhere. He is second amongst active players in the PCL with a .348 average and trails only Las Vegas veteran Terry Tiffee (.375). He also leads the league in steals after swiping a pair Sunday, giving him 24.

Cruz leads the league in RBIs with 93 in 94 games. He also tops the stats column in total bases (253), runs (91), slugging percentage (.729), on-base percentage (1.176), and ranks sixth in hits (120).

His previous Minor League numbers, however, did not translate in the big leagues. Last season, Cruz was batting .353 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs in 45 games for Oklahoma when the Rangers called July 26. The Dominican native struggled in his third invite to the Majors, batting .235 with nine homers and 34 RBIs in 96 games.

McPherson said he's intent on getting back to the Majors in South Florida.

"I think everybody just wants to be in the big leagues," he said. "I signed with the Marlins to be there with the Marlins, and that's what I want and am trying to do. Obviously with the deadline coming up, everybody wants to get back to the big leagues, any way that could happen. But I'm definitely focused on getting there with the Marlins."